A plan for a modernised, turboprop-powered model of the long-lasting Catalina is one step nearer to turning into realised with a Hong Kong operator signing a letter of intent overlaying the acquisition of as many as 46 plane from the Florida-based Catalina Plane Belief.
The Subsequent Era Amphibious Plane (NGAA) Catalina II idea was formally launched in 2023 by the Catalina Plane Belief, who’ve been the custodian for the unique PBY Catalina’s kind certification for over a decade. Stepping past their experience in supporting the operation of unique Catalina plane worldwide, the agency believes that there’s a marketplace for a brand new, improved variant based mostly straight on the tried and examined Nineteen Thirties design.
Huge information as we speak up right here at Oshkosh ‘23! Catalina Plane is saying a manufacturing restart program with the rebirth of an iconic and revered legend because the Catalina II, a brand new manufacturing, modernized, turboprop with civil and authorities/navy variants. #OSH23 #CatalinaII pic.twitter.com/Xs0QEc83af
— Catalina Plane (@NGAA_Catalina) July 25, 2023
Flightglobal was the primary to report the information that Hong Kong-based startup Pan American Airways System (PAAS) – licensing the legendary Pan Am identify from Pan American International Holdings – has declared to the Catalina Plane Belief its intent to buy as much as 46 of its re-envisioned Catalinas.
PAAS would initially introduce the Catalina II on its deliberate ultra-luxury flights throughout Africa, earlier than increasing to incorporate routes within the Caribbean, South America, and South Asia. These providers would tackle the historic ‘Clipper’ identify famously utilized by Pan Am’s transoceanic flying boat providers within the first half of the twentieth century, providing solely 10 seats per plane alongside a lounge and galley.
The corporate’s official web site says its first providers are deliberate to take flight in 2027, although as a lot of the event – not to mention manufacturing – work for the Catalina II is but to happen it’s not sure how such a schedule could be applied. The Catalina Plane Belief’s official press launch says the airline’s letter of intent (LOI) is ‘funded’.
In 2023, the Catalina Plane Belief have been aiming for deliveries of the Catalina II in 2029. It’s unclear whether or not this has now been pushed again given the delay in receiving provisional orders. Flightglobal stories that choices for engines, avionics, and different flight techniques at the moment are being evaluated by the agency, suggesting that even preliminary check flights are nonetheless some years away.
Nonetheless, founder and firm president Lawrence Reece says that, as a modification of an present plane kind, he believes the Catalina II could have a less complicated certification course of than a totally new from-scratch design.
Navy & Particular Mission Use
Alongside area of interest industrial use, the Catalina II is being focused at navy and particular mission prospects as the advantages of amphibious fixed-wing plane are as soon as once more being examined by plenty of nation states. Initially discarded many years in the past because the helicopter got here to reign supreme within the maritime area, the widely higher pace, endurance, and airlift efficiency of flying boats and comparable amphibious designs has been famous as being of potential worth in future conflicts, significantly within the Pacific.
U.S. navy personnel have ceaselessly labored alongside and evaluated the Japanese ShinMaywa US-2 seaplane – Japan is one in every of a handful of countries to have by no means deserted fastened wing amphibians. Moreover, the U.S. navy has checked out plenty of new and tailored designs aimed toward introducing such a platform.
Primarily based on its advertising and marketing and launched renderings, the Catalina Plane Belief sees the Catalina II being suited to go looking and rescue (SAR), maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), firefighting, and gunship purposes. On this regard, it will tackle most of the similar roles beforehand assigned to the unique PBY Catalina.
Maybe it is a area of interest that Catalina Plane can goal with the relaunch of the long-lasting Catalina flying boat? A Leonardo Osprey AESA suite as seen in Fireplace Scout and SAR helicopter. Lengthy loiter time.
— The Different Chris (@TotherChris) October 2, 2023
The corporate says a particular mission-configured Catalina II may supply 19 hours of endurance, carry 30 troops or as much as 16,000lbs of inside cargo/gear, and function with a large flight envelope together with speeds as excessive as 200 knots and as little as 62 knots. Two wing-mounted pylons may every assist exterior shops as much as 2,500lbs, and – if specified by a buyer – the integral touchdown gear might be eliminated for extra efficiency at the price of shedding the pliability of having the ability to land ashore.
I stay extremely skeptical, however…they do have one of many main huge cash holes, acquiring a brand new Kind Certificates, already solved. I want them luck. Once I see three or extra on their ramp, I’ll tip my hat!
— aniemyer (@aniemyer) July 14, 2026
With just one buyer at present lined up – one which, at current, operates no different plane – the Catalina IIs path in the direction of operational service nonetheless has many hurdles to clear. The Catalina Plane Belief is aware of the Catalina airframe, and would definitely seem to have the experience to make this undertaking work. The primary remaining query is whether or not extra prospects will comply with go well with and commit their names within the order books.
Notably, the Catalina Plane Belief is in truth one in every of two producers in Florida vying to reignite the Catalina. The Catalina Plane Firm of Vero Seashore is aiming for a extra formidable effort, with a clean-sheet design impressed however circuitously based mostly on the unique Catalina labelled the Catalina SPAR.
The Catalina Orkan is the primary manned transport-class amphibious plane engineered from day one for open structure, software program outlined mission techniques and manned/unmanned teaming. pic.twitter.com/uCQBYutICn
— Catalina Plane Firm (@catalina_air) June 22, 2026
As a clean-sheet design, the SPAR may supply extra flexibility when it comes to buyer specification, even together with choices for payload ramps and a pressurized cabin. This may come at the price of needing an all-new kind certification by regulators.
